The Voice presents:

Just Kidding, Just Fine and Other Lies

A Public Service Announcement

FALL

Bullying: Verbal, physical, or other

acts committed by a student to harass, intimidate, or cause harm to another

student.

Approximately 47 teens are bullied every 5 minutes.

Teachers and administrators sometimes underestimate the extent and effect of bullying

and, as a result, fail to prevent or stop it.

New students often feel alienated. The cafeteria is

one of the most intimidating places in the school.

The number one reason teens are bullied is because

of their appearance.

The number two reason is perceived or actual sexual

orientation.

Bullies frequently insult or a threaten their classmates and follow it with “just kidding” to

make bullying a joke and therefore acceptable.

Students and teachers need to recognize these comments are still bullying– and not a joke. The bully

needs to be confronted or the behavior will continue to escalate.

Relational Aggression: A form of aggression that is meant to harm the social relationships of

an individual. It is not physical abuse, but a social abuse of

connections and influence to keep the victim as low in social standing

as possible.

Relational aggression is the predominate strategy used

by girl bullies.

Bullies often have a difficult home life and learn their behavior from witnessing

domestic violence and emotional abuse on a

regular basis.

They often perpetuate the cycle of violence and

become abusers themselves.

WINTER

Gay and lesbian teens are two to three times more

likely to commit suicide than their peers.

Of students who reported harassment because of their sexuality, approximately one third of the time school staff didn’t do anything to resolve

the issue.

Cyberbullying: Bullying over social

networking, text messaging, or prank calling.

20% of teenagers admit to sexting- sending or posting nude or semi-nude pictures

or videos of themselves.

48% of teenagers say they have received such

messages. Most were not the intended recipients.

Seventy-two percent of eighth and ninth graders

reportedly date.

By the time they are in high school, 54% of students

report dating abuse among their peers.

Signs of Domestic Violence in Teens

The Victim:

• Is often isolated from peers

• Makes excuses for the abuser’s actions to parents, teachers, and friends.

• May have low self-esteem

Signs of Domestic Violence in Teens

The Abuser:

• Forces the other person to spend time with him/her over being with family or friends.

• Constantly “checks up” on the other person.

• Acts extremely jealous and territorial

75% of boys who witness parental abuse have

demonstrable behavioral problems.

Children older than 6 have a tendency to identify with

the aggressor and lose respect for the victim.

Every 30 minutes a teenager attempts suicide due to

bullying.

The leading cause of death in students under the age of

14 is suicide.

“Bullycide” is the new term for suicide as a result of

being bullied.

SPRING

Harassment "Words, gestures, and actions

which tend to annoy, alarm and abuse (verbally) another

person."

Firm, fair, and consistent enforcement of school discipline policies and meaningful school

climate strategies (including anti-bullying initiatives) lead to safer

school climates and less bullying.

Students can end bullying simply by speaking up. Ignoring the situation is complicit acceptance.

Offering support to the person who is being bullied

helps them and sends a message to the bully that

you don’t agree with what’s going on.

Women need support (family, friends, and

economic) in order to leave abusive relationships. It

may take several attempts before they successfully

leave their partner.

1 in 12 students who stay home from school do so because they are afraid.

No student should be afraid to go to school because of

bullying. Schools should be a safe place for all students.

I miss U babe

Lets go out tonight

What R U doing?

R U mad?

Can we get together?

Why don’t U answer?!

Where R U?

Who R U with?!

Call me.

PICK UP.

ANSWER YOUR PHONE!!!

Pick up NOW!

QUIT IGNORING ME!

R U trying to hurt me?!

I’m coming over.

You BETTER be home.

Control is a key factor in teen dating abuse.

Digital media—texting, tweeting, instant-messaging, Facebook, and Skype-- keep

teens in abusive relationships connected 24/7.

It also keeps them controlled.

Bullying has many forms, including physical violence,

verbal taunts, and social exclusion.

It DOES get better.

There are many resources for help.

Friends. Parents. Teachers. Counselors. Siblings. Therapists.

Nurses or medical personnel. Family members. Mentors.

Police officers. Bosses. Pastors or other laypersons. Administrators.

Anyone you trust.

Speak up. Speak out.

One person CAN make a difference.

Will you be that person?

References: Bullying Protect Yourself and Others. National Child Safety Council Brochure. Choose Respect. Dating Abuse Fact Sheet. Elias, Marilyn. “Possession Obsession.” Teaching Tolerance. Issue 41. Spring 2012. www.bullyingstatistics.org www.gacircleofhope.org www.naspcenter.org/principals/nassp_bullying.html www.pacerteensagainstbulying.org www.schoolsecurity.org/trends/bullying.html